Faster way to parks from DS area hotel?

[gigem_aggies]

I asked on the transportation board as well, but which is more effective: a) taking the resort shuttle from Hilton Lake Buena Vista (that also goes to other DS area hotels on the "loop") to the parks or b) walking over to DS, taking a bus to a resort, and then taking a bus from the resort to the parks (or walk/monorail if we are going to MK or Epcot that day and travel to a resort that is close)?

 

[writerguyfl]

I stay at the Disney Springs hotels for many of my trips. After leaving the Hilton LBV, the bus will make three other stops. Although that sounds bad, it really is fairly quick because the hotels are right next to each other. It takes probably under two minutes to go from one hotel to the next. Unloading/loading is usually quick, unless a wheelchair or ECV is involved. Honestly, I think the multiple stops at the Disney Springs hotels take less time than you'd spend riding a bus at one of the Disney's moderate resorts with multiple bus stops.

When it comes to the Disney Springs buses, there are two major annoyances. First, the stop for Magic Kingdom is at the Transportation and Ticket Center. The monorail or ferry ride to the park is great for first-time visitors. But, it does become a pain on repeat visits.

The second and biggest annoyance is that each Disney Springs bus goes to two theme parks. Although it does vary, it usually is one bus for Magic Kingdom/Animal Kingdom (in that order) and another for Epcot/Studios (in that order). In my mind, that's the biggest issue with the Disney Springs buses.

Personally, I wouldn't walk to Disney Springs and transfer at a resort to get to a theme park. The new bus loop is near Planet Hollywood. I'd guess that's at least 15 minutes from the Hilton. You might have to wait 20 minutes for a bus to a resort, and then another 20 minutes for a bus to the park. I think you're better off sticking with the Disney Springs hotels transportation.

(For Magic Kingdom, you could take the bus for Disney's Contemporary resort from Disney Springs. I'm not sure that's a huge time saver, as it usually stops at Disney's Wilderness Lodge first. Similarly, you could take a bus to one of the Epcot resorts and walk to Epcot and/or Disney's Hollywood Studios.)

The other option is to walk to the Congress Park bus stop at Disney's Saratoga Springs resort. It is, however, a healthy walk from the Hilton LBV. On the outbound, they make one additional stop before heading to the parks. On the return, you have three stops before Congress Park. So, it's not exactly quick.

 

[gigem_aggies]

Thanks!

 

[GreatLakes]

I'd take the resort shuttle for AK or DHS and walk to DS and take a resort bus to The Contemporary for MK and Boardwak, Beach Club, or Yacht Club for Epcot personally.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I asked on the transportation board as well, but which is more effective: a) taking the resort shuttle from Hilton Lake Buena Vista (that also goes to other DS area hotels on the "loop") to the parks or b) walking over to DS, taking a bus to a resort, and then taking a bus from the resort to the parks (or walk/monorail if we are going to MK or Epcot that day and travel to a resort that is close)?

I've taken the bus from the Hilton dozens of times and it truly doesn't take that long to make the stops at the other hotels. The good thing about the Hilton is that you're the first pick up (you can always get a seat) and the first drop off on the way back.

 

[bdrex95]

Thanks for the info everybody! It has been a good 10 years since I've taken the bus from DS area hotels to parks. Making a quick trip next month and decided to stay at the Hilton LBV in DS. Planning an early morning trip to Epcot. Does anyone know what time the Epcot bus runs from Hilton LBV?

Thanks!

Brian

 

[gigem_aggies]

It left every 30 minutes starting about an hour before the park opens.

 

[HopperFan]

Also you would actually have to walk to Saratoga Springs in the morning because the Disney Springs buses to resorts will not start running until 10 am when Disney Springs opens and buses are arriving.

We have done the reverse late at night, bus from resort to Disney Springs because they do run very late.